May 07 2008
Smiling Does More Than Make People Think
You know the old phrase, ’smile, it will make people wonder what you are up to.’ Well a simple smile can go a long way.
You ever wonder how that person gets his or her way all the time? You know that person. The one who always gets the best tables, the one who always gets the free give aways, the one who never seems to get in trouble for anything. You know them. How do they do it?
Watch them. Most likely (there are always exceptions to every example) they do not get this through intimidation, they do not get their way through being grumpy and gruff, they do not get their way yelling 
and throwing a fit. Watch them. They probably have a really good smile and are not afraid to show it.
I admit it, I am a sucker for a good smile. There are students that I have that will get away with a lot more than others, simple because they smile. Not just the girls either, the guys can do it just as well. They will do something silly or dumb. They will bend the rules to the point where I have to say some thing and they will turn around with a smile and say “Sorry, Mr. Coach Kip” and somehow it will be all right. Another kid will do the same thing and I will say the exact same thing to them and they will instead give me an attitude about the whole thing. That never ends well, usually ending with them in the principles office and me continuing on with class.
In the book How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing with People Les Gibons says
A smile is relaxing, a smile shows confidence. A smile shows that you “just know” the other fellow is going to come through
There are two ways you can apply a simple smile in your every day life.
For You: William James once said that it is impossible to feel pessimistic when you have the corners of your mouth turned up. So smile during your day. You will feel better. This will translate to others. Be happy with you life, who you are, and how things are going. If they begin to turn sour just smile. You will be surprised how this works wonders. Looking at things optimistically will help you solve problems, not add to them.
For Others: Smiling when asking someone to do something for you will almost compel that person to do it for you. A smile will tell that person that what you are asking will make you happy, and is probably not that bad. People want to please others so they will feel compelled to do it. Smiling also takes 
the sting out of less than pleasing news. Now you wouldn’t want to smile when you tell someone that their Mother has died, but a smile while saying “I am sorry but you will have to do this report over again, I know you can do better” will greatly soften the blow and tell the person that you still believe in them.
A good smile takes little practice unless you have not used it often lately. A good smile does not come from a combination of muscles in your face that turn the corners of your mouth up. A good smile comes from deep down inside. It comes from the heart. Smile from the heart and you will find that life will be more enjoyable, more fun, and a heck of a lot easier.
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